Club bag

ABSTRACT

A club bag is provided having pre-formed end configurations, that are adapted to facilitate an inward bending of end portions of the bag, upon closing the same, with innermost end portions being optionally adapted to engage and maintain positioning of an article contained within the club bag, and with the bag being convertible for use as a bowling ball bag.

United States Patent Schneider CLUB BAG [72] Inventor: Marvin Schneider, Bryn Mawr, Pa.

[73] Assignee: Rapid-American Clayton, Del.

[22] Filed: Sept. 23, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 74,557

Corporation,

[52] US. Cl ..190/48, 150/].6, 150/52 A,

190/41 Z, 190/51, 190/53 [51] Int. Cl ..A45c 3/00 [58] Field of Search 190/48, 51, 41 R, 41 Z, 53,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,159,253 12/1964 Breault 190/48 3,145,904 8/1964 Bromley .1. ..220/ 31 S [15] 3,685,620 [451 Aug. 22, 1972 1 1/1942 Roberts ..l90/48 X 2,922,453 l/l960 Le Goff 150/52 A 1 ,625,439 4/1927 Walinsky 190/48 2,288,105 6/1942 Plotkin 190/48 2,786,558 3/1957 Benkoe ..190/48 3,578,1 l5 5/1971 Schneider ..190/48 Primary ExaminerGeorge E. Lowrance Assistant ExaminerStephen Marcus Attorney-Seidel, Gonda and Goldhammer I 57 ABSTRACT being convertible for use as a bowling ball bag.

7 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures PATENTEDwczz I972 sum 1 or 3 B INVENTOR.

Marvin Schneider AT IORNEYS.

PATENTED M19 22 I 2 SHEET 2 OF 3 1X INVENTOR.

Morvin Schneider fiw hm ATTORN EYS PATENTEDmszz I972 3. 685; 620 sum 3 ur 5 Fig. 1/ D I INVENTOR.

Marvin Schneider BY MW VJ.

ATTORNEYS.

CLUBBAG BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the prior art, club bags have existed, but not bags made from moldable material which have been integrally molded to place pre-formed creases in the bag ends, to facilitate the folding closed of the bag. Also, in the prior art, it has been known to carry a bowling ball in a bag, but not in a bag which is readily adaptable for use separate and apart from carrying a bowling ball therein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention is addressed toward providing novel club bag end constructions, for facilitating closing of the club bag, in addition to providing a club bag which is convertible for use as a bowling ball bag.

It is a primary object of this invention to provide a novel club bag, having pre-formed fold lines in end portions thereof, to facilitate folding closed of the bag, and to facilitate inward bending of portions of the bag end wall.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a club bag which is convertible for use as a bowling ball bag.

' It is another object of this invention to accomplish either of the objects set forth above, wherein means are provided for reinforcing pre-formed fold lines in the bag end walls.

It is another object of this invention to provide a club bag which is convertible for use as a bowling ball bag, with means carried by inwardly foldable portions of the bag end walls for engaging a bowling ball carried therein, in cushioning fashion.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from a reading of the following brief description of the drawing figures, detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiments, and the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a club bag in accordance with this invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged top plan view of the bag of FIG. 1, with portions broken away, for purposes of illustration of details internally of the bag.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through the bag illustrated in FIG. 2, generally along the lines III- III of FIG. 2, and wherein a bowling ball is illustrated in phantom, disposed on a seat within the bag, and with innermost inwardly folded portions of the bag end walls being illustrated in engagement with a bowling ball therein disposed.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a pre-formed bag end fold line, with supporting means therefor, taken generally along the line lV-IV of FIG. 2. l

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, taken through a fold line of the bag illustrated in FIG. 3, generally along the line VV of FIG. 3,

FIG. 6 is an end view of a closed club bag, in accordance with this invention, wherein the configuration of the pro-formed club bag end panel is illustrated in its closed condition.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged transverse sectional view, taken through an end panel fold line, generally along the line VII-VII of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a club bag similar to the club bag illustrated in- FIG. 6, in its open condition.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged transverse sectional view, fragmentally illustrated, of an inner surface of the open club bag illustrated in FIG. 8, taken generally along the line IX-IX of FIG. 8, and wherein the en-tire preformed fold lines comprising an end panel of the bag illustrated in F Ig. 8,are clearly illustrated.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional view, taken through a pre-formed fold line illustrated in FIG. 9, generally along the line X-X of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view, taken through a die which may be used to form one of the fold lines illustrated in Flg. 9, and also taken through its backing plate, with a fragmentary portion of the bag end wall being illustrated therebetween, such portion comprising the same portion that would be illustrated in a sectional view taken generally along the line XI-XI of FIG. 9.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, reference is first made to FIG. 1, wherein a bag generally designated by the numeral 15 is illustrated, as comprising opposite sides 16 and 17, end walls 18 and 20, a bottom wall 2l,and upper or closure portions 22 and 23, which merge respectively with sidewall portions 16 and 17. Feet 24are provided on the bottom 21 of the bag 15, as illustrated in FIG. 3. Handles 25 and 26 are also provided, connected to respective cover portions 22 and 23, by suitable connection members 24 and 25, not comprising portions of this invention. A zippered type of closure 27 is provided, for closing the bag 15, with opposite closure portions 22 and 23 meeting in substantial abutment across the top of the bag, and partially down each end wall of the bag, as illustrated at 28, 30 and 31 in FIG. 3.

Each end 18 and 20 of the bag 15 is substantially identical, so only one such end need be described in detail.

With reference to FIG. 6, the bag end 20 is illustrated, as having a generally upstanding lower portion 32, above which is located a foldable bag end wall portion 33. The foldable portion 33 is substantially circumscribed by a pressed fold line 34, that has been formed into the bag end wall 20 by the application of heat and pressure, to yield a line generally of reduced cross-section, specifically as illustrated in FIG. 7, with particular reference to the fold line 34, of reduced cross-section, between respective side and end panels 17 and 33. The fold line 34 is generally rectangular in configuration, as viewed in end elevational view, when the bag 15 is open (not illustrated in FIG. 6, in which the bag is illustrated in its closed condition).

With particular reference to FIGS. 3 and 5, another pro-formed fold line 35 is illustrated, between end portions 36 and 37 illustrated in FIG. 1 of the circumscribed end panel portion 33. The fold line 35 is also of reduced cross-section as illustrated, as is formed in the same general manner as is the line 34, and generally simultaneously therewith. A fold line 38 is also provided, generally similar to the fold line 35, and located as illustrated in FIG. 2. With particular reference to FIGS. 2 and 4, it will be noted that, between inwardly folded end portions 36 and 40, there is a third fold line 41, also of reduced cross-sectional thickness, as are those 34 and 35, and similarly formed, but with a void 42 being provided at the junction of the panel portions 36 and 40, which void 42 is provided with an elongated cover portion 43 of heat sealable material, which is connected to the panel portions 36 and 40 in heat sealed relation, as illustrated in FIG. 4, for defining an elongated sleeve between fold line portion 41 and the elongated portion 43, in which is disposed an elongated stiffening member 46.

It will be noted that the fold lines 38, 35, and 41 have a generally common point or terminus, at the left-most end of the fold line 41, as illustrated in FIG. 2, or a zone in which the three folds provided in the bag end 20 by the pre-formed fold lines 35, 38 and 41 meet.

It will further be noted that the fold lines 35 and 38 need not be provided, if desired; specifically in many instances, as for example those in which the material of the bag end wall 20 would be sufficiently thin in crosssection that ready folding could be effected without the use of such pre-formed fold lines. However, a preformed fold line similar to that 41 is generally considered desirable.

At the left-most end of the fold line 41, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, or at the terminus of the lines 35, 38 and 41, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, there is provided a piece of soft rubber sponge 47, glued or otherwise secured thereto. With particular reference to FIG. 3, it will be seen that pieces of sponge 47 and 48 are provided at the innermost ends of the inwardly folded portions of the end walls 20 and 18, respectively, and which engage upper end portions of a bowling ball 50 illustrated in phantom, and disposed within the bag 15, with the bowling ball 50 being seated on a suitable seating device 51. Thus, inasmuch as the bag is longer from end-to-end than is the bowling ball 50, when the bag 15 is closed, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the bowling ball 50 is prevented from moving endwise, by the inwardly bent end wall portions as discussed above, with the ball 50 being engaged by resilient cushioning members 47 and 48, and which cooperate with the rigidfying members 46, and with the fold lines, for maintaining seating position of the bowling ball 50 within the bag 15.

It will also be apparent that the bowling ball 50, and its seat 51 may readily be removed from the bag 15, for use of the bag 15 for other purposes, as desired. It will also be apparent that the length of the bag 15, between ends 18 and thereof has been pre-selected, such that the inwardly folded end portions of the bag will engage a bowling ball 50, of approximately predetermined and standardized size.

With particular reference to FIG. 8, another club bag 55 is illustrated, and which is constructed in a manner generally similar to that 15 of FIG. 1, but which is substantially longer than the club bag 15, and which is specifically adapted for uses other than the carrying of a bowling ball therein, because of such length. However, the bag 55 is not provided with a reinforcing member for its fold line 56, although its fold line 56 does meet in a termination zone or terminus 57, with the fold lines 58 and 60. Otherwise, the fold lines 56, 58 and 60, and the entire bag end configuration as illustrated in FIG. 9 is substantially the same as that described above. The termination zone or terminus 57 is generally circular as illustrated in FIG. 9, and each of the fold lines 56, 58 and 60 are of reduced cross-section, as is the generally rectangular circumscribing fold line 61 illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10. The reason that no reinforcing member and sleeve is provided for the bag 55, is that, such would not normally receive the endwise forces that would be exerted by the bowling ball carried inside the bag, as is the situation with the bag illustrated in FIG. 3. Also, there is no need to provide sponge pads over the termination zone 57 of the bag 55 illustrated in FIG. 9, for the same reason.

With particular reference to FIG. 11, a forming die is provided, having a protrusion portion 71, and which is disposed above a backing plate 72, with electrical or other suitable heating means 73 being provided for the die 70, for softening the bag end wall material 74, during the application of pressure at the zone 71, as the die 70 is pressed toward the backing plate 72, and into the material 74 of the bag end wall. It will be noted that the fold line portions 56, 57, 58,60 and 61, are all formed in the same manner, generally at the same time, from a bag end wall material 74 that is made of a heat softenable material. The bag end configurations and fold lines for the bag 15 illustrated in FIG. 1 are also constructed in the same general manner, as that described for the bag end construction illustrated in FIG. 9.

It will be noted that either of the entire bags 15 or 55, with the exception of the zippers and handles, may if desired, be of the integrally molded type.

Such bags 15 and 55 may be constructed of a plastisol material, during a rotocasting operation, if desired.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that various modifications may be made in the details of construction, as well as in the use of the bags of this invention, all within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A receptacle of the type having a bottom wall, side and end walls, and being of the top opening type, said opening having generally rectangular configured mouth portions in the open condition of the receptacle and with said mouth portion comprising opposed portions adapted to be adjacently disposed in the closed condition of the receptacle, with opposite ends of the receptacle having portions folded inwardly of the receptacle in the closed condition of the bag, with at least each said end being integrally molded and with integrally preformed fold lines comprising means facilitating inward folding of said end portions in the closed condition of said receptacle, said preformed fold lines comprising three fold lines of reduced cross-section relative to adjacent end cross sections at each end, and which terminate in a common terminus also of reduced cross section which terminus is an innermost end portion in the closed condition of the receptacle.

2. The receptacle of claim 1, wherein said terminus is defined by an area of generally circular configuration.

3. The receptacle of claim 1, wherein one said fold line is generally vertically disposed and the other two fold lines are divergently angularly upwardly disposed toward the upper end of the receptacle from said terminus in the open condition of the receptacle.

4. The receptacle of claim 3, wherein said inwardly foldable portions of said ends are movable upon closing said receptacle to predetermined positions for end engagement with an article to be contained in said receptacle for maintaining position of an article in the receptacle in the closed condition of the receptacle, and with tions adapted to be adjacently disposed in the closed condition of the receptacle, with opposite ends of the receptacle having portions folded inwardly of the receptacle in the closed condition of the bag, with at least each said end being integrally molded and with integrally preformed fold lines comprising means facilitating inward folding of said end portions in the closed condition of said receptacle, said preformed fold lines comprising a generally vertically disposed fold line in each end, terminating in a zone of reduced cross section relative to the cross section of an adjacent end portion, with said zone comprising an innermost receptacle end portion in the closed condition of the receptacle at each end thereof.

6. A receptacle of the type having a bottom wall, side and end walls, and being of the top opening type, said opening having generally rectangular configured mouth portions in the open condition of the receptacle and with said mouth portion comprising opposed portions adapted to be adjacently disposed in the closed condition of the receptacle, with opposite ends of the receptacle having portions folded inwardly of the receptacle in the closed condition of the bag, with at least each said end being integrally molded and with integrally preformed fold lines comprising means facilitating inward folding of said end portions in the closed condition of said receptacle, said preformed fold lines comprising a generally vertically disposed fold line in each end, including means disposed over each said vertical fold line providing a sleeve therewith, and including a stiffener member disposed in said sleeve.

7. A receptacle of the type having a bottom wall, side and end walls, and being of the top opening type, said opening having generally rectangular configured mouth portions in the open condition of the receptacle and with said mouth portion comprising opposed portions adapted to be adjacently disposed in the closed condition of the receptacle, with opposite ends of the receptacle having portions folded inwardly of the receptacle in the closed condition of the bag, with at least each said end being integrally molded and with integrally preformed fold lines comprising means facilitating inward folding of said end portions in the closed condition of said receptacle, said preformed fold lines comprising a generally vertically disposed fold line in each end, wherein said inwardly foldable portions of said ends are movable upon closing said receptacle, to predetermined positions for end engagement with an article to be contained in said receptacle for maintaining position of an article in the receptacle in the closed condition of the receptacle, said inwardly foldable portions. being movable outwardly of said predetermined positions to positions out of engagerne t with an arti le to b contained in said receptacle in t e open con ition o the receptacle, resilient pad means carried by said inwardly foldable portions of said ends at, zones that are innermost thereof when said receptacle is in the closed condition for resilient engagement of an article to be contained in said recepta- 

1. A receptacle of the type having a bottom wall, side and end walls, and being of the top opening type, said opening having generally rectangular configured mouth portions in the open condition of the receptacle and with said mouth portion comprising opposed portions adapted to be adjacently disposed in the closed condition of the receptacle, with opposite ends of the receptacle having portions folded inwardly of the receptacle in the closed condition of the bag, with at least each said end being integrally molded and with integrally preformed fold lines comprising means facilitating inward folding of said end portions in the closed condition of said receptacle, said preformed fold lines comprising three fold lines of reduced cross-section relative to adjacent end cross sections at each end, and which terminate in a common terminus also of reduced cross section which terminus is an innermost end portion in the closed condition of the receptacle.
 2. The receptacle of claim 1, wherein said terminus is defined by an area of generally circular configuration.
 3. The receptacle of claim 1, wherein one said fold line is generally vertically disposed and the other two fold lines are divergently angularly upwardly disposed toward the upper end of the receptacle from said terminus in the open condition of the receptacle.
 4. The receptacle of claim 3, wherein said inwardly foldable portions of said ends are movable upon closing said receptacle to predetermined positions for end engagement with an article to be contained in said receptacle for maintaining position of an article in the receptacle in the closed condition of the receptacle, and with said inwardly foldable portions being movable outwardly of said predetermined positions to positions out of engagement with an article to be continued in said receptacle in the open condition of the receptacle.
 5. A receptacle of the type having a bottom wall, side and end walls, and being of the top opening type, said opening having generally rectangular configured mouth portions in the open condition of the receptacle and with said mouth portion comprising opposed portions adapted to be adjacently disposed in the closed condition of the receptacle, with opposite ends of the receptacle having portions folded inwardly of the receptacle in the closed condition of the bag, with at least each said end being integrally molded and with integrally preformed fold lines comprising means facilitating inward folding of said end portions in the closed condition of said receptacle, said preformed fold lines comprising a generally vertically disposed fold line in each end, terminating in a zone of reduced cross section relative to the cross section of an adjacent end portion, with said zone comprising an innermost receptacle end portion in the closed condition of the receptacle at each end thereof.
 6. A receptacle of the type having a bottom wall, side and end walls, and being of the top opening type, said opening having generally rectangular configured mouth portions in the open condition of the receptacle and with said mouth portion comprising opposed portions adapted to be adjacently disposed in the closed condition of the receptaclE, with opposite ends of the receptacle having portions folded inwardly of the receptacle in the closed condition of the bag, with at least each said end being integrally molded and with integrally preformed fold lines comprising means facilitating inward folding of said end portions in the closed condition of said receptacle, said preformed fold lines comprising a generally vertically disposed fold line in each end, including means disposed over each said vertical fold line providing a sleeve therewith, and including a stiffener member disposed in said sleeve.
 7. A receptacle of the type having a bottom wall, side and end walls, and being of the top opening type, said opening having generally rectangular configured mouth portions in the open condition of the receptacle and with said mouth portion comprising opposed portions adapted to be adjacently disposed in the closed condition of the receptacle, with opposite ends of the receptacle having portions folded inwardly of the receptacle in the closed condition of the bag, with at least each said end being integrally molded and with integrally preformed fold lines comprising means facilitating inward folding of said end portions in the closed condition of said receptacle, said preformed fold lines comprising a generally vertically disposed fold line in each end, wherein said inwardly foldable portions of said ends are movable upon closing said receptacle, to predetermined positions for end engagement with an article to be contained in said receptacle for maintaining position of an article in the receptacle in the closed condition of the receptacle, said inwardly foldable portions being movable outwardly of said predetermined positions to positions out of engagement with an article to be contained in said receptacle, in the open condition of the receptacle, resilient pad means carried by said inwardly foldable portions of said ends at zones that are innermost thereof when said receptacle is in the closed condition for resilient engagement of an article to be contained in said receptacle, means disposed over each said vertical fold line providing a sleeve therewith, and including a stiffener member disposed in said sleeve. 